Slovenian President Pahor and Italian President Mattarella jointly attend commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the burning down and solemn return of the Trieste National Hall to the Slovenian national community in Italy

The Slovenian and Italian presidents jointly attended the ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of the burning down of the Trieste National Hall, thus reaffirming the sincere friendship between the two countries and nations.

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, began his visit to Italy with a visit to the Reggimento Piemonte Cavalleria barracks in Opicina, where he was received with military honours by the host, the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella.


Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

Before the main ceremony of the return of the National Hall to Slovenes, Presidents Pahor and Mattarella laid two wreaths together at the Foiba di Bazovizza Memorial and at the monument to the Bazovizza heroes, victims of fascism. With this joint act of reverence, the two presidents hope to open a new chapter in the common future of the two nations in the European spirit and with mutual respect.

In the presence of Slovenian President Pahor and Italian President Mattarella, a document was signed in the Prefecture of Trieste to make the National Hall the property of the Slovenian national community in Italy exactly one hundred years after it was attacked and burned down by members of the Italian fascist and nationalist groups. This is a historic event important for both nations. For several years now, Presidents Pahor and Mattarella have been working together towards it with care and sensitivity to the feelings of members of both nations.


Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA


Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

As part of the commemoration, a special joint ceremony of awarding the highest state decorations of Slovenia and Italy to the Slovenian from Trieste, Boris Pahor, took place. President Pahor presented the Order of Merit for Distinguished Service to Boris Pahor, a great Slovene writer and humanist, for his lifelong contribution to the understanding and integration of European nations and for his uncompromising commitment to Sloveneness and democracy. President Mattarella presented him with the Knight Grand Cross, the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.


Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

Also on this occasion, at a special and historic meeting at the Prefecture of Trieste, Presidents Pahor and Mattarella met with representatives of the Slovene national community in Italy and the Italian national community in Slovenia.


Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

A visit to the National Hall followed. The Slovenian and Italian presidents visited the exhibition on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the burning down of the National Hall and entered their signatures in the Golden Book of the National Hall. President Pahor then addressed the Slovenian media in the atrium.

The programme of the visit of President Pahor concluded with a luncheon organised by President Mattarella at the Prefecture of Trieste.

The President of the Republic was accompanied on his visit to Italy by Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Anže Logar and Minister for Slovenes Abroad Dr Helena Jaklitsch.

President Mattarella was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio, while Minister of the Interior Luciana Lamorgese and Minister of University and Research Gaetano Manfredi were also present at the Prefecture.


Photo: Nebojša Tejić/STA